Judge Proctor and his bitter band of miscreants, still fighting a lost Civil War, roll into Dodge seeking vengeance against a man who might or might not be near town. Proctor threatens to fi... Read allJudge Proctor and his bitter band of miscreants, still fighting a lost Civil War, roll into Dodge seeking vengeance against a man who might or might not be near town. Proctor threatens to find him or burn down Dodge.Judge Proctor and his bitter band of miscreants, still fighting a lost Civil War, roll into Dodge seeking vengeance against a man who might or might not be near town. Proctor threatens to find him or burn down Dodge.
Photos
Amanda Blake
- Kitty
- (credit only)
John Breen
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Bill Coontz
- Night Rider
- (uncredited)
Bert Madrid
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn this show the viewer learns that the bartender, Sam, had two brothers die in the Civil War. One fighting on each side of the conflict, plus another brother that died after the war.
- GoofsDuring the final gun battle on the supposedly muddy main street in Dodge City, several people including Matt fall to the ground. But when they get up or are turned over, their clothes aren't muddy or even wet.
Featured review
A Man's Refusal to Accept Reality Causes Irreparable Damage
Judge Procter is still trying to fight the War Between the States. He and his men have been terrorizing Missouri for some time by burning the land of people they consider enemies. Now they have ridden into Kansas seeking a man named Talbot that is supposed to live near Dodge City.
When they arrive in Dodge City late at night, they find the town sparsely populated, because many of the residents, including Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell, have gone to Johnsonville to celebrate that town's twentieth anniversary. Festus Haggen is the law enforcement in Dodge.
The strangers stop at the Long Branch Saloon just as Sam Noonan is closing for the night. Judge Procter asks Sam to open for about an hour so he and his men can warm themselves with a few drinks. Sam reluctantly agrees.
Although it is not immediately apparent, we eventually learn that Judge Procter's men are interested as much in using the Judge and his ideology as an excuse to cause trouble as they are in the "cause" for which they claim to be crusading.
Judge Procter's sons, Eliot and Jay, ride with the group. Eliot does not agree with his father's methods, but as his son, he feels obliged to go along. Jay, on the other hand, is an impetuous, hot-headed fool, and he is also extremely sick.
In a scene where we learn that Sam had two brothers who died in the War Between the States -- one for each side -- Jay loses his temper and attacks Sam. Sam is hit in the head and requires attention from Doc Adams. Festus arrests Jay and confines him to a jail cell. Judge Procter does not agree with the actions Festus has taken. The Judge demands Jay be released from jail by midnight, or there will be consequences. If Festus complies, the Judge and his men will leave Dodge.
Among the few Dodge City residents that have remained in town are Louie Pheeters and Nathan Burke. Both are terrified of what the Judge and his men might do. As the situation escalates, their fear grows.
When Doc examines Jay, he warns the young man that he needs to be treated, but Jay refuses any help. He demands whiskey, but Doc warns him that whiskey could kill him.
Eliot visits his brother at the jail, and the two get into an intense argument. Jay suddenly has an attack or seizure and dies.
When Judge Procter learns his son is dead, he is furious. He blames Doc and Festus and orders his men to burn the town.
The renowned actor Jeff Corey plays Judge Procter in this story. This is Corey's only involvement in a Gunsmoke episode, which is unfortunate. Corey was not only a highly respected actor, but he taught acting to many people who went on to become major stars. Corey was blacklisted in Hollywood during most of the 1950s because he refused to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1951.
Robert Pine makes the second of four Gunsmoke appearances as Eliot Procter. Robert Random portrays Jay Procter in one of his seven different appearances on the show. Other members of the Judge's group include familiar actors Warren Vanders, Norman Alden, and Robert Karnes.
This is another entertaining episode with a strong cast, but it is not without problems. The entire premise is a little dubious when one considers how far from the Missouri border Dodge City, Kansas is located. The story implies the Judge and his men have wandered into Kansas in pursuit of the Talbot fellow, but Dodge City is in the western half of the state. Additionally, the story contains very few surprises. It tends to telegraph plot developments well in advance. Finally, Judge Procter is supposed to be a ruthless man to be feared, but Jeff Corey's portrayal of the Judge makes him appear as more wise and less sinister in nature than he should be.
It is fascinating to see how much the Festus Haggen character has changed from his early days on the show. Festus takes his responsibilities quite seriously in this story.
In the end, the story is as much about the relationship of Judge Procter and his sons as it is about refusing to accept defeat in a war. The Judge's refusal to accept reality eventually destroys his family.
When they arrive in Dodge City late at night, they find the town sparsely populated, because many of the residents, including Matt Dillon and Kitty Russell, have gone to Johnsonville to celebrate that town's twentieth anniversary. Festus Haggen is the law enforcement in Dodge.
The strangers stop at the Long Branch Saloon just as Sam Noonan is closing for the night. Judge Procter asks Sam to open for about an hour so he and his men can warm themselves with a few drinks. Sam reluctantly agrees.
Although it is not immediately apparent, we eventually learn that Judge Procter's men are interested as much in using the Judge and his ideology as an excuse to cause trouble as they are in the "cause" for which they claim to be crusading.
Judge Procter's sons, Eliot and Jay, ride with the group. Eliot does not agree with his father's methods, but as his son, he feels obliged to go along. Jay, on the other hand, is an impetuous, hot-headed fool, and he is also extremely sick.
In a scene where we learn that Sam had two brothers who died in the War Between the States -- one for each side -- Jay loses his temper and attacks Sam. Sam is hit in the head and requires attention from Doc Adams. Festus arrests Jay and confines him to a jail cell. Judge Procter does not agree with the actions Festus has taken. The Judge demands Jay be released from jail by midnight, or there will be consequences. If Festus complies, the Judge and his men will leave Dodge.
Among the few Dodge City residents that have remained in town are Louie Pheeters and Nathan Burke. Both are terrified of what the Judge and his men might do. As the situation escalates, their fear grows.
When Doc examines Jay, he warns the young man that he needs to be treated, but Jay refuses any help. He demands whiskey, but Doc warns him that whiskey could kill him.
Eliot visits his brother at the jail, and the two get into an intense argument. Jay suddenly has an attack or seizure and dies.
When Judge Procter learns his son is dead, he is furious. He blames Doc and Festus and orders his men to burn the town.
The renowned actor Jeff Corey plays Judge Procter in this story. This is Corey's only involvement in a Gunsmoke episode, which is unfortunate. Corey was not only a highly respected actor, but he taught acting to many people who went on to become major stars. Corey was blacklisted in Hollywood during most of the 1950s because he refused to testify before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1951.
Robert Pine makes the second of four Gunsmoke appearances as Eliot Procter. Robert Random portrays Jay Procter in one of his seven different appearances on the show. Other members of the Judge's group include familiar actors Warren Vanders, Norman Alden, and Robert Karnes.
This is another entertaining episode with a strong cast, but it is not without problems. The entire premise is a little dubious when one considers how far from the Missouri border Dodge City, Kansas is located. The story implies the Judge and his men have wandered into Kansas in pursuit of the Talbot fellow, but Dodge City is in the western half of the state. Additionally, the story contains very few surprises. It tends to telegraph plot developments well in advance. Finally, Judge Procter is supposed to be a ruthless man to be feared, but Jeff Corey's portrayal of the Judge makes him appear as more wise and less sinister in nature than he should be.
It is fascinating to see how much the Festus Haggen character has changed from his early days on the show. Festus takes his responsibilities quite seriously in this story.
In the end, the story is as much about the relationship of Judge Procter and his sons as it is about refusing to accept defeat in a war. The Judge's refusal to accept reality eventually destroys his family.
helpful•51
- wdavidreynolds
- May 31, 2021
Details
- Runtime1 hour
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
- 4:3
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